Month: September 2011

In the past, dental office professionals would rely on traditional instruments like scalers and picks to clean patients’ teeth. Though this method is still effective, our Colleyville dentist can use newer technology to get your teeth clean.

Ultrasonic prophylaxis, or cleanings remove plaque and tartar from the teeth using high-frequency sound waves. The dentist or hygienist can use the vibrating tip of the ultrasonic cleaning tool in the same way that a traditional instrument is handled.

The sound waves create tiny bubbles enabling the particles that have collected on the teeth to become dislodged. Ultrasonic cleaning instruments can also be used to remove bacteria from pockets that develop in the gums, reducing the risk of advanced periodontal disease.

A stream of water must accompany the ultrasonic cleaner, causing it to heat up due to the vibrations of the tip of the tool. The water must be regularly vacuumed from the patient’s mouth.

This ultrasonic technique has a number of advantages. Ultrasonic cleanings typically take less time than the traditional approach. Patients who fear dental pain and those who are sensitive to the pressure applied with standard scalers and other dental tools will appreciate ultrasonic cleanings, which are barely noticeable. Ultrasonic cleaners are also easier for hygienists to manipulate.

Even with their benefits, ultrasonic instruments may be used to clean teeth in combination with conventional tools. After using the ultrasonic cleaner, the dentist may still clear away any remaining tartar, or calculus, using the standard instruments. The patients’ teeth are polished following the cleaning, as is standard procedure.

To get the maximum benefit from an ultrasonic cleaning, be sure to resume your regular brushing and flossing regimen as soon as possible. These activities are essential for keeping your mouth clean between dentist appointments.

If you want to get in and out of the dental office in less time, or if tartar develops unusually quickly in your mouth, consider ultrasonic cleanings. Call 817-485-2111 to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists who provide this advanced technology for patients.

Are you dissatisfied with your smile’s appearance? Your Bedford cosmetic dentist can help.

A cosmetic dentist can use a variety of techniques to make minor enhancements to a handful of teeth or to overhaul the smile entirely. These interventions correct issues ranging from stains to misalignment to misshapen teeth.

One basic cosmetic dentistry procedure is teeth whitening. A cosmetic dentist can remove stains or bleach teeth that have yellowed with age. This treatment involves applying a special gel to the teeth. The gel includes an active ingredient—typically some type of peroxide—that reacts with stain particles to remove them. Different teeth whitening treatments are offered by our cosmetic dentist. Ask which procedure is right for you.

Veneers are also commonly employed in cosmetic dentistry. The thin porcelain shells that sit atop natural teeth are particularly versatile devices. They can be used to mask cracks, chips or deep stains. They can also extend the length of an abnormally small tooth, fill in a diastema (gap between two teeth), or re-align a stretch of crooked teeth.

Prior to placing veneers, the cosmetic dentist must remove a thin layer of enamel that is equal in thickness to the veneer. This prevents the veneer from sticking out from the rest of the smile. Veneers are custom-crafted to patient specifications in a dental laboratory, and the cosmetic dentist can make further adjustments to the shade and shape of veneers before bonding them to the teeth permanently.

For more complex cases in which the teeth are unable to be properly straightened using veneers alone, orthodontic treatment may be necessary. Fortunately, orthodontic treatment no longer means a mouthful of unattractive metal. The Invisalign system, which incorporates a progressive series of clear plastic aligner trays to straighten the teeth, has no adverse effect on the smile’s appearance while it does its work. In fact, the treatment results are visible sooner because there are no wires and brackets to obscure the teeth.

If you long for a more attractive smile, take action to change it! Consult with our cosmetic dentist to develop your plan for a spectacular set of pearly whites.

When you’re missing a tooth, it can have a major effect on your self-esteem, not to mention your ability to chew and speak. Thanks to advances in dental technology, patients have a wide selection of options for tooth replacement.

Many patients are choosing dental implants in Colleyville, which outperform their peers in tooth replacement. Dental implants are durable and aesthetically pleasing, and they nearly replicate the function of natural teeth.

Dental implants are small screw-like structures made of titanium, which are then topped with artificial tooth-shaped caps. The metal used to create implants is biocompatible, which is essential to the success of this approach. Because the titanium can fuse with the jaw bone, dental implants become permanent structures in the mouth.

This functionality is also important for preserving the jaw bone and the remaining healthy teeth in the area. In the absence of a tooth’s root, the jaw bone begins to erode. This process, known as resorption, increases the risk that neighboring teeth will be lost as well. Because the implant replaces the root, the jaw bone is anchored in place and further bone and tooth loss is averted.

Your dentist may also recommend dental implants because they’re easier to maintain than other tooth replacement methods. Structurally, dental implants are nearly similar to natural teeth, with the implant serving as the root and the artificial cap as the crown. As a result, dental implant patients can brush and floss normally. This is not the case with some tooth replacement alternatives, such as bridges, which restrict access to the gum line. Bridges require a great deal of patience when it comes to flossing.

Similarly, dental implants require very few, if any, dietary adjustments. Of course, it’s best to avoid biting directly into very hard objects with an implant, but dental implant wearers can eat nearly anything that a person with a full set of natural teeth can eat.

Your dentist can place dental implants in an appointment in the office. It’s a straightforward procedure, and patients typically recover relatively quickly.

If you are looking for a state-of-the-art tooth replacement method, consider dental implants. Call 817-485-2111 to talk with our dentists to see if this treatment is appropriate for you.

About

Dr. Kipton Anderson and his highly trained team invite you to experience distinctive dental care in an atmosphere of trust and respect. We provide comprehensive preventive, restorative and cosmetic dentistry for smiles that instill pride and confidence.